Over 6,500 houses constructed for poor in Himachal

The Himachal Pradesh government has constructed over 6,500 houses under the Rajiv Awas Yojana and the Indira Awas Yojana in the past one year, an official said Monday.

The financial assistance given under both the housing schemes has also been enhanced from Rs.48,500 to Rs.75,000. Besides two 'biswas' of land also being given to the landless poor in the urban areas for construction of houses, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board chairman Kuldeep Pathania said.

He said in a statement that a provision of allotting three 'biswas' of land has also been made for the landless poor in the rural areas.

Pathania's assertions came in the wake of BJP leader and two-time former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal statement that the government has provided Rs.500 each to those whose cowshed was damaged in recent rains.

"This was a politically motivated statement of the former chief minister who should know that there was no provision of such meagre amount being provided under relief manual," he said.

The chairman said the state was providing a financial assistance of Rs.40,000 for repair of 'kucha' or temporary houses and Rs.70,000 for repair of permanent houses.